Most recently, I interviewed Elizabeth one of our Graduate Assistants. Elizabeth not only spices it up in the office, but in her wardrobe! Here's what she had to say:
How did you define your style in College?
(Essentially, did you dress in a specific way because of the style and did you
consider yourself to be stylish?)
The college version of how I dressed in middle and high
school which was very tomboy because I felt that—well first of all I was pretty
athletic and I felt like I was shaped like a boy. Because that’s how I felt that’s how I dressed. Just a lot
of tshirts and jeans, hoodies. I never really tried with my clothes because I
felt like that’s what girly girls did and I didn’t wanna be that. But when I
saw those girls I was jealous of them and I liked how they looked. So then I
went to Spain, and I kind of discovered my style I guess.
Introducing the new character on Degrassi, Liz! |
What do you see your style as now?
It is still tomboyish but things were a bit more fitted or flattering. Also my shape changed a bit and I carried that style back with me through senior year. But it wasn’t til grad school until I learned how to dress myself. Just because I put effort into how I looked didn’t mean I was superficial. That’s when I bought my first cardigan. I now own it in every single color. Always always always wear skinny jeans or leggings. I feel like if you do tight on the bottom you shouldn’t do tight on the top also. The one thing that hasn’t changed is that I still never wear jewelry. They just really really bother me. I enjoy dressing up now, I don’t dread it. If I could pick anything to wear on any day, a well fitted pair of skinny jeans and a White Hanes Men's V Neck T-Shirt.
Close enough! Shout out to Mama Jacoby! |
How important do you find style?
I think it’s important in the sense that you need to be true
to yourself in your style and you shouldn’t feel pressure to wear certain
garments because other people wear them. I think you need to be brave enough to
know what looks good on you and what maybe doesn’t. Just make your style your
own—I think everyone has influences. Some people have stores they love and some have
icons that they model themselves after. You should never feel uncomfortable and you should never feel self-conscous or insecure.
So if you walk out in the morning and don’t feel any of these things, you’re
doing it right.
Do you judge others (not in an, “I’m better than you,” but a, “You’re wearing that, so maybe
you are this way.”) by their styles?
I don’t know, I guess if I’m being honest, I think that’s a big part of why we dress the way we do. You are
definitely sending a message that you want me to get. Some people’s messages
are purposeful and others not. I think it’s obvious, there are extremes like
Lady Gaga, who wears her feelings as clothes and will actually tell you what
the message is. On the other end is maybe someone who only wears sweatpants and
a sweatshirt or something like that. Lady Gaga wants to tell you something
while the other person either doesn’t realize that they’re telling or you or is
trying not to tell you something.
Lady Gaga's second appearance in RU Stylin'! |
What is your must have style item?
A dark wash skinny Jean and a white hanes vneck.
How often do you go shopping? Where?
Too often in proportion to how much money I make. I would
say once or twice a month. H&M cause I usually find everything I like
there. Then it’s a mix of Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, and The Gap. Also! If you’re
wearing plain jeans then maybe your shirt should stand out but if you’re
wearing like leopard print jeggings maybe just do a black top cause you’re
doin’ the most.
The Most. Coming Soon to a Theater Near You! |
How much do you think is ok to spend on any single item of
clothing?
I don’t think I’ve spent more than 60 on one item of
anything maybe ever. I would like to think I would never be ok spending more
than that. I don’t think you need to spend a lot of money to look good.
I have one exception: If I won a million dollars. I would
buy things from Anthropologie!
How do you decide if something fits in YOUR style?
Well most things that I end up buying just pop out to me
because I just know myself well enough to know that this teal cardigan fits into
my wardrobe. I also find that at times I need to push myself to try other
things because, I think it’s good to have a few more outrageous pieces in your
wardrobe. It’s good to stand out sometimes.
My Most recent example is that recently in Urban I was
looking for a pair of denim shorts. Finally I found them but I just got a
regular pair, but while I was there I saw a pair of highwaisted jean shorts and
I thought to myself could I pull these off. I tried them on and I didn’t
hate it, I’m not used to seeing myself in them, But I don’t hate them. I didn’t
get them because I was buying so much else, but I intend to buy them.
Elizabeth Post Buying her High Waisted Shorts. |
How much thought do you put into style?
I guess I would say I think about style when I wake up in
the morning when I’m deciding what to wear, but then once I’ve put it on if I’ve
done it right, I don’t think about it for the rest of the day. When I do think
about it, I feel like I didn’t do it right that day and then I think about it
throughout the day.
Elizabeth left us with two very good points:
1.) You don't need to spend money to look good. This is a very good point. Money does not make the outfit, you do! Take trips to thrift stores and really search for that good bargain.
2.) It's good to stand out sometimes. It's not always a bad thing to take risks. As long as they aren't *cough cough* dangerous.
Gaga appearance number 3. |